Specialty Contact Lens Care in Kansas

What Are Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are different from traditional contact lenses because they are designed and customized to meet the specific needs of your eyes. 

Specialty contact lenses are generally recommended for patients who have impaired vision as well as an eye condition or disease. This can cause standard contact lenses to be uncomfortable or fit improperly.

Who Needs Specialty Contact Lenses?

Specialty contact lenses are recommended when traditional soft contact lenses will not or do not provide the vision and comfort a patient needs. They are like traditional lenses in that they provide vision correction. 

Unlike traditional lenses, Specialty lenses are designed specifically for people with eye irregularities, diseases, conditions, and corneal transplants. 

Our doctors at The EyeDoctors Optometrists are experts in custom contact lens fitting and will work with you to determine the best vision solution for your unique eyes. 

What are the Types of Specialty Contact Lenses?

In some cases, traditional contact lenses may not provide the vision or comfort a patient need. At The EyeDoctors Optometrists, we perform comprehensive eye exams and specialize in identifying and treating eye diseases and conditions. We work with you to determine the best vision correction solution based on your eye shape, health, and lifestyle. This may include recommending specialty contact lenses. Types of specialty contact lenses include: 

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses

RGP lenses are the most common specialty contact lenses. Although they are rigid and fit much closer to the eye than a scleral lens, they are still porous and allow oxygen to pass through. RGP lenses provide sharper vision for patients with astigmatism. They are also recommended for people with severe vision problems but not an eye disease or condition.  

Scleral Lenses  

Traditional and RGP lenses cover just your cornea; scleral lenses cover the entire front surface of the eye, including the cornea and some of the white part you see (sclera). Scleral lenses are more stable and are recommended for people with irregular-shaped corneas and, in some cases, dry eye syndrome.  

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) Lenses  

These lenses are only worn overnight to correct corneal irregularities. During this time, the Ortho-K lenses work to gently reshape your cornea to allow you to see more clearly during the day time. Ortho-K lenses are typically only worn at night and removed upon waking. They are recommended for people who are diagnosed with myopia (nearsightedness), particularly children, or hyperopia (farsightedness). 

Hybrid Lenses 

These lenses provide a more comfortable fit as well as clearer and sharper vision. Hybrid contact lenses combine the comfort of a soft or silicone hydrogel lens (traditional contact lenses) with the clarity of a RGP lens. They have a rigid gas permeable central zone that is surrounded by a hydrogel or silicone hydrogel material.  

How Do You Determine Which Specialty Contact Lens You Need?

The doctors at The EyeDoctors Optometrists are experts in custom contact lens fittings. In addition to a comprehensive eye exam to determine your eye health, your eye doctor will also perform a contact lens evaluation to determine the exact measurements of your eyes and may use:

• A keratometer to measure the curvature of your cornea 

• A corneal topographer to create a map of your eye and measures how the light reflects off your eye

• A card or ruler to measure the size of your pupils and the diameter of your iris

Since contact lenses sit on the cornea of the eye, it’s extremely important for them to fit properly and comfortably. Trust the expertise and experience of the doctors at The EyeDoctors Optometrists to help you choose the best contact lens type based on your unique eye shape, eye health, and lifestyle.